John’s Island residents Ellie and Bob McCabe, founders of the Robert F. and Eleonora W. McCabe Foundation, were honored with the Ted Brown Volunteer of the Year Award for their many contributions to the community at the Indian River Taxpayers Association Awards Luncheon last Wednesday at the Vero Beach Country Club. Also recognized were Jeff Smith, recipient of the Fiscal Conservative of the Year award, and Pilar Turner, who was presented with a Special Achievement award.
Board President John Kistler noted that the three main tenants and principals of the all-volunteer Taxpayers Association are fiscal conservatism, limited government and community activism; all traits exemplified by Smith, Indian River County clerk of the court. Smith has worked for the county since 1992 and is also is active in industry, community and nonprofit organizations.
“My predecessor, Jeff Barton, was my mentor and I’ll forever remember everything he did for me. One of the awards that he won was this award, and it was one that I always wanted to try and claim for myself as a follower of Jeff Barton,” said Smith, adding that he was accepting it on behalf of his hardworking staff.
Several individuals spoke about the McCabes, whose continued philanthropy and advocacy have greatly impacted the community.
“Since the early 2000s the McCabes have been laser-focused on improving mental health services in Indian River County,” said Dr. Robert Brugnoli, executive director of the Mental Health Association.
The McCabes were instrumental in the establishment of the Mental Health Collaborative and of the Mental Health Association, where the Mental Health Walk-In Center provides immediate access to mental health services. Additional projects have included the UF Center for Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine, the Mental Health Court, and the newly launched Connections Center, connecting individuals and families with available mental health and substance abuse services.
“Culture is one of the reasons why Vero Beach is such a desirable place to live, and the McCabes recognized that early on,” said Robin Orzel, Vero Beach Museum of Art director of development. Ellie McCabe led the museum’s original capital campaign in 1983 and, as board chairman in 1986, established the Chairman’s Club, setting the museum on solid financial footing for years to come.
“We’re only as good as those who lead us, and Ellie lay the groundwork for an institution that over the past 30 years has become an integral part of what makes this community so special,” said Orzel.
“Every once in a while there is a star that shines brighter than most and through some predetermined destiny will collide with another equally bright star. And together that brightness will illuminate a path that will have a lasting impact on many lives. This supernova, so to speak, is a description of my very dear friends Ellie and Bob McCabe,” said Ann Marie McCrystal, before listing just a few in the long litany of organizations they have impacted.
“It sounds like Bob and Ellie McCabe accomplished all this. But I want to accept this award on behalf of all the people that work with us, because it took the community to make all this happen. If we were the leaders, so be it, but there were a lot of people involved,” said Ellie McCabe, also praising Lenora Ritchie, executive director of the McCabe Foundation.
The final presentation was a Special Achievement Award, presented to Pilar Turner, who was elected to the Vero Beach City Council in 2010, 2012 and 2014, serving as mayor in 2011.
“During all her years of service with Vero Beach, Pilar always safeguarded our taxpayer dollars, diligently reviewing the annual budget. For that she has earned our never-ending gratitude,” said Kistler.
“This organization was certainly a vital part in me getting involved with politics and serving our community,” said Turner. “It is an honor to be part of this organization.”
